feature image credits Embed from Getty Images
Islam Makhachev given double champ opportunity at UFC 300, denies due to timing.
UFC 300 is now less than a month away, with fans growing more excited as each day passes. The build up to UFC 300 at it’s full roster now had fans waiting in anticipation as each day grew. The fight card now has electric fights starting from the very first prelim to the main event. Such as the main event alone, which features 5 former or current UFC champions, 6 if you include BMF Champion, Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje. Some other these fighters include Charles “do Bronx” Oliveria, Max “Blessed” Holloway, and the main event being Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill against Alex “Poatan” Pereira. It’s safe to say UFC 300 has the potential to be the most stacked UFC card of all time.
However, the UFC 300 card took a while to be what it is today. Speculation took place as soon as Dana White started talking about UFC 300. Saying how great he was trying to make the card, even possibly the greatest of all time. As the card was building from the prelims up, fans had waited months to find out what the main event was. After UFC 298 was when Dana finally announced that the main event was going to be Pereira versus Hill.
Before this, most fans believed the main event would be surrounding welterweight champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards. In recent news, the UFC has said they offered Edwards 3 different fights, one of them including Islam Makhachev. This would be an interesting matchup, as Islam can potentially gain double champ at lightweight and welterweight. While Edwards faces diversity in fighting a newcomer to the division with a current 13 fight win streak. Unfortunately, this fight could not be booked for UFC 300.
Islam Makhachev Details Denying UFC 300 Fight
UFC 300 will commence on April 13th, 2024. Leading up to this date is also the religion of Islam’s celebration of Ramadan. One of the challenges that Muslim fighters face while participating in Ramadan, is having to fast with eating and drinking. This can prove to be difficult, as with making weight, comes weight cuts, and can be near impossible for recovery with no food and water for most of the day. Islam Makhachev is a devoted Muslim, who also participates in Ramadan. So, this was his leading factor into having to turn down his fight against Edwards.
Makhachev recently was asked about potentially being on UFC 300 by Mike Bohn, a reporter for MMAJunkie. As being 1 of the fighters who would’ve been headlining the amazing UFC 300 card, Makhachev reflects on the fight decision.
“It’s not possible, because we have Ramadan now.” Makhachev futher goes into detail on what devoted Muslims do for Ramadon. “We are fasting when the sun rise, and all day we have to fast, 5 or 6 hours we have to, training is very hard.”
Makhachev also jokes with Mike, saying, “I asked Ali (Makhachev’s Manager) can they push UFC 300 2 weeks? I’ll be ready!”
Makhachev lastly remarks he would’ve loved to fight on the UFC 300 card, but it just isn’t the right timing for him. “This is a dream fight for me. I don’t have any small chance to fight in UFC 300. It’s a big deal, big fight for that second belt, and I miss the chance.”
If the fight was even a few more weeks after the celebration of Ramadan, there was a chance we could’ve seen Makhachev against Edwards to end UFC 300’s stacked fight card.
Quotes taken from Overtime Heroics
Would you like to see Makhachev fight Edwards in the future? Let us know in the comments!
feature image credits Embed from Getty Images
